Nationally recognized Heritage Auctions has an impressive staff of experts.

“We’ve got hundreds of years of experience between all of our experts,” Heritage Auction Managing Director Becky Dirting explained. “They know every little nuance and detail about the particular areas that they specialize in. So, they’re able to look at it and in some cases people just simply don’t even know what they have.”

This isn’t the first public appraisal event for the auction house and Dirting said they’ve had some pretty interesting items come through the door – including whale harpoons.

While the event is a chance for owners of antiques and collectibles to learn more about their property, the auction house is looking for treasures too.

Dirting said they’re looking for fine collectibles to auction and if they’re interested in your item they’ll offer you a deal.

“We usually will take it on what we call consignment; that means that you’re giving it to us to put in that auction and there’s a fee associated with that and that fee is very negotiable. We take care of everything else,” Dirting said.

If an item is accepted for auction there are several steps involved, but ultimately it could mean a payday for the item’s owner.

“We [Dallas Heritage Auctions] cover all insurance. We do our own photography. We do our own research. We agree on an auction estimate,” Dirting said of the process for auctioning. “We agree on opening bids. We agree on a rate and then we take full responsibility from there. Hopefully it sells for great money and we have settlement 45 days after that.”

Appointments aren’t required for the appraisal event but there is a limit of three items – in most cases – for a verbal appraisal.

The free appraisal event will be held at Heritage Auctions, located at 3500 Maple Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219. The event will be held Friday June 22 through Sunday June 24. On Friday and Saturday the event will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. On Sunday appraisal will happen between 10:00 a.m. and 3 p.m.